New to the forum – passionate about Frenchie health

loic_lfbv
Loic_lfbv Icon representing the flag French

Hi everyone,

My name's Loïc, and I've just found this forum while looking for first-hand experiences regarding French Bulldog health. I’ve been doing quite a lot of research over the last few months — common conditions, vet bills, and what pet insurance actually covers depending on the policy — and I'd really like to chat with owners who deal with this on a daily basis rather than just sticking to the theory.

If anyone could share their thoughts on their annual healthcare budget, or any breathing or orthopaedic issues they’ve had with their dog, I’d be very interested. Also, if this has already been discussed elsewhere on the forum, please do point me in the right direction and I'll go have a read.

Thanks in advance and see you soon!

Translated from French
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3 answers
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    • Martau
    Martau Icon representing the flag French
    Rather than looking into the "annual health budget" for a breed that is known to be predisposed to deformities and diseases, it would be more pertinent to ask whether adopting such breeds is a good idea in the first place, and even to question the breeding of dog breeds where we know there are more health issues than in most others. While your wallet or bank account might take a hit, these animals suffer too, even with treatment, and the second point is far more important than the first. For anyone who loves dogs, the answer should be obvious! Norway has taken the first step by banning the breeding of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, arguing that breeding them is akin to animal cruelty. Unfortunately, this isn't enough. A European, or even global, ban on the breeding of brachycephalic breeds and all hyper-types that make animals ill is more than necessary.
    Translated from French
    S
    Snaraellora17 Icon representing the flag French

    Hi there

    Beyond the breed itself, some issues apply across the board.

    Here’s my experience with two King Charles Spaniels.

    A. Common health issues

    First off, they’re a brachycephalic breed, so you have to be extremely careful about their genetic lineage and breeding.

    For the rest, you'll need other owners to tell you about the day-to-day reality of living with them.

    B. Vet costs and follow-ups

    I keep a spreadsheet to track my spending. On average, over the last 5 years, I’ve spent around £3,000 per year for each dog.

    • They eat at a fair rate besides their dry food (the same as the rest of the family, just two extra portions).

    • Medical care depends on their individual needs.

    • The vet actually works out as my lowest expense. I only really go when I’ve run out of options. It costs me about £430 a year (just the rabies jab, blood tests, and the odd consultation). I find these extortionate prices scandalous, and we're just the mugs expected to pay up. Not for me. I’ve changed the way I do things.

    • I handle the first aid, grooming, etc., myself. I’ve kitted myself out to stay independent (electric grooming table, stethoscopes, dental tools, a microscope...). It cost me about £350, thank God for Amazon! 😇

    • Medication: rare for now. But for ear care, I use things like floral waters. Same for eyes and disinfectants. Aloe vera gel for the paw pads. Stop pouring money down the drain for these overpriced meds that only give you 8 drops. 💧

    C. Insurance

    • Most policies are much of a muchness—it’s mostly marketing fluff designed to fleece you of your cash.

    • It’s the terms and conditions you need to read. Start by identifying the exclusions for your specific breed. Then look for excluded conditions or types of claims. There’s a whole list of them...

    • The reimbursement rate rarely goes above 80%.

    • Usually, you’ll always have an excess of about £85 to £130 to pay yourself.

    📌 So, I just went with a basic, cheap policy from a standard pet insurer. It’s still insurance, and they’ll always find an excuse to say something isn't covered. It took me 6 months to compare different plans. If you really want to take one out, make a list of requirements (what I want / what I don't want).

    There you go! 🙂

    Translated from French
    ProvetoJuniorConseil
    Provetojuniorconseil Icon representing the flag French
    Expert verified
    Hello, I’ve never personally owned a French Bulldog, but as a vet student, I might be able to shed some light on certain aspects of the breed. I also suggest you explore the section of the forum where owners share their stories and questions about Frenchies. To find it, just follow this path: forum -> dog forum -> dog breeds -> French Bulldog Kind regards, Laura MICHEL
    Translated from French

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